The One and Onie
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1/31/2021
I’ve been living in Oneonta for 5.5 years and am giving it four stars instead of 5 only because of the cloud damming that keeps the sun from shining down over our rolling hills and the Susquehanna River. The lack of sun, particularly in fall/winter, can get a lot of people down. Other than that, we chose this town because of its easy access to I-88, and there is more to do in comparison to the other rural towns that surround us. More restaurants, a smattering of box stores, and the cycling and kayaking is pretty good. Work can be challenging - the only professional options are to work in the medical sector (largest employer is Bassett Healthcare Network) or education (SUNY and Hartwick). COVID hit us like it did most places, so we lost some of the small businesses we hold dear, but locals have rallied to try to keep them afloat with takeout and curbside options. You seriously cannot get a bad pizza here.
Most of the houses are older construction, and so will require maintenance, which can be a concern if you aren’t personally handy. We have found some really talented craftsmen and have been delighted with their work and work ethic; we have also observed that they are run high demand, so you might have to wait a while for your turn.
You might have to visit several different grocery stores, farmers markets, or health food stores to get everything you need, but I generally do just fine with this. It seems like the stores have non-compete agreements because no two stores carry the same products, which is kind of funny. If one suddenly stops carrying something I like, it coincidentally pops up at a different store that didn’t carry it prior to that.
Please be aware that there is wildlife around, and they were here first, so be prepared to find evidence of black bears, foxes, coyotes, and raptors. People keep chickens, cows, goats, horses, etc., and we all coexist without issue in my experience. I am very happy with the sense of community and peaceful living.
Janet | Oneonta, NY